What Is Sprayer Guidance?

Sprayer Guidance systems are essential agricultural accessories used to manage effective crop production. Sprayer Guidance systems improve yields by monitoring the application of chemical control methods and subsequent crop health. 

In addition to managing and monitoring chemical application and crop health, many Guidance Systems also have advanced controls programmed to assist in efficiency by allowing for easy operation, and the acceleration of the on-farm spraying process. 

How Does Sprayer Guidance Work?

Sprayer Guidance Systems operate using a handheld computer that features a screen and a programmed GPS system. In some cases, these devices are touch-screen compatible. Most guidance systems today are full-covered and may be programmed to operate in languages other than English. 

Signal Sources

The GPS feature connects in one of three ways to a signal source. 

• United States Coast Guard Beacon Signal (USCGBS) is free but is limited to operating across major lakes, coastal areas, and rivers. The signal may be disrupted as the distance from the signal increases. 

• Commercial Differential Signal Service providers charge a fee but offer a satellite-based correction signal and thus can be accessed worldwide.

• Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS) is the newest differential signal and was developed by the Federal Aviation Administration. This system is also public and free like USCGBS but offers more widespread satellite coverage. 

Guidance Display

Guidance displays can either be a light bar or a visual screen. 

• Light Bar - A row of lights indicates where the vehicles is situated relative to the intended direction of travel. 

• Visual Screen - A computer screen or LCD screen that depicts a more precise image of the intended direction. Visual screens are especially beneficial for farmers who drive curves on their intended path. 

Considerations When Choosing Sprayer Guidance

When choosing the sprayer guidance system that best suits your operation, consider the many possibilities for customization. Both guidance systems aid the driver in different ways, so consider the shape of your intended travel paths before investing in a system. 

Other features to consider include a serial port for a data collection tool like a yield monitor console. This allows the user to record application data or field information that can be used to plan planting patterns and predicting future crop yields.